In the late 1960s, it was possible to walk into a local Chevrolet dealership, write a (substantial) check, and order up a factory lightweight Corvette, purpose-built for racing. In the early 1970s, perhaps the most famous of these Corvettes were the American-flag liveried cars of the John Greenwood team, but serving as a counterpoint was a Corvette owned by Floridian Orlando Costanzo, painted in a daring Confederate flag motif. This underdog “Rebel Corvette” would set speed records, capture the IMSA GTO Championship and be immortalized in plastic by model maker Revell; and on January 18, it will be offered to the public by Barrett-Jackson as part of its Scottsdale, Arizona, sale.

Available as a Regular Production Option (RPO) since the 1967 model year, the L88 engine option for the Corvette also required checking a few more boxes. To get the 430-horsepower, aluminum-head V-8, buyers also needed to order the C48 heater and defroster delete (which saved weight); the M22 heavy-duty transmission with close-ratio gearing; the K66 transistorized ignition (minus shielding, because radio interference wasn’t an issue); the J50 power-boosted brake system; the J56 heavy-duty brake calipers with semi-metallic pads and a proportioning valve; the F41 suspension (which came with stiffer springs, larger shock absorbers, a larger front anti-roll bar and a rear anti-roll bar); and a G81 Positraction rear end with 3.70:1 standard gearing (though other final drive ratios could be ordered).

The net result was a competitive race car, minus finishing details like a roll cage and driver’s harness, delivered directly from Chevrolet. The Rebel Corvette was initially delivered to Costanzo in 1969 wearing Daytona Yellow paint, and this particular L88 was also delivered with prototype cylinder heads that wouldn’t officially be released for another six months. Costanzo’s L88 was reportedly one of just four early models built with open chamber cylinder heads and a dual-disc clutch, a benefit that likely stemmed from his SCCA racing background and his official ties to GM as the sales manager for Ferman Chevrolet in Tampa, Florida. Though later trimmed with orange stripes, the car was campaigned like this until 1971, when the livery was changed in recognition of the car’s Florida base of operations and as a jab to the Greenwood team.

While Costanzo and driver Dave Heinz enjoyed some success racing the L88 (both pre- and post-Rebel paint scheme), the car failed to deliver championship results, likely due to the level of competition in SCCA and IMSA GTO events. Midway through the 1971 season, Costanzo sold the car to team manager Toye English, who formed the Racing Engineering and Development (RED) team with his son. Handling driving duties would be Heinz and Don Yenko, and sponsorship from Goodyear Tires would help to defray costs. As the Greenwood Team carried sponsorship from BFGoodrich, the rivalry between the two Corvette squads soon became known as the “Tire Wars,” which ultimately helped both Goodyear and BFGoodrich develop radial tire technology for street and track.

In the RED Team’s first outing, at Watkins Glen in 1971, the Rebel Corvette finished second to a Greenwood Corvette piloted by John Greenwood and Bob Johnson. It didn’t take long for Heinz and Yenko to begin posting wins, and a victory at Daytona in the final race of the 1971 season gave the RED Team the 1971 IMSA GTO Championship; along the way, Don Yenko set a new tri-oval speed record for the class, lapping the high banking at a speed of 201.4 MPH. The following year, the Rebel Corvette would take and hold the GT Class lead at Sebring for the entire 12 hours of the event, ultimately taking the class win and finishing fourth overall.

The RED Team would campaign the car sporadically as late as the 1974 season, but its glory days were behind it. Almost lost to history, the car was discovered by Corvette specialist Kevin Mackay in a junkyard in 1991, reportedly with its body panels and cockpit mostly intact. In 1993, Mackay’s shop restored the car to its 1972 livery, and it’s been campaigned at selected vintage events since. The car has also been displayed at the National Corvette Museum, and remains one of the most-recognized L-88 Corvettes from the glory days of IMSA GTO racing.

The Rebel Corvette is set to cross the stage in Scottsdale on January 18 as part of Barrett-Jackson’s with-reserve Salon Collection. For additional information, visit Barrett-Jackson.com.

UPDATE (18.January 2014): The Corvette sold for $2.86 million, including buyer’s premium.

You have to explain “Bob Johnson” painted on the door next to Heinz’ name in the Daytona picture (second down). What year did that happen? Bob was pretty fixed to Greenwood, even driving a Greenie at LeMans. So how did a deal go down for him to drive the “RED Rebel”?

Bob Johnson from Columbus Ohio was a Team Shelby driver. The Other Bob Johnson was Greenwood’s driver. We had both Bob Johnsons (they were known as “THE” Bob Johnson and “THE OTHER” Bob Johnson!) at an SCCA Regional banquet and they were a riot. But I don’t think Bob Johnson (the Shelby one from Columbus) ever drove Vettes. Dunno, maybe he did. But don’t think so, and sadly he’s not amongst us any longer to ask.

OK, had a check around the web. And on the corvetteblogger site there is an article about the passing of Bob Johnson of Marietta Ohio in 2012. It shows he drove the #57 RED Rebel Vette with Dave Heinz. It also mentions his long affiliation with Greenwood. So the question remains, how did Heinz manage to get Greenwood’s driver to drive in the IMSA GTO series with him? Especially, if the article is accurate, Greenwood defeated Heinz and the RED Rebel at The Glen in its first outing in 1971? Inquiring minds!

The BEST PART is the two Bob Johnsons (the Team Shelby driver from Columbus OH, and the Greenwood Vette driver from Marietta OH), actually co-drove a Corvette at some point!!! See the 5th picture down in the link. Each Bob pointing to his own name on the Vette. Great stuff!

What function do those discs on the front wheels have? I cannot recall seeing them on any other car. And while I’m here, what did the aluminum heads do to give more horsepower? Design of the chamber? What was the “open” design? I’m full of questions today.

Olddavid, the discs on the wheels likely aided brake cooling and airflow around the wheel wells. As for the heads, the aluminum heads were (obviously) lighter, and the then-experimental open design reshaped the combustion chamber for added power. You can get a sense for the difference between the cylinder heads in image #2 on this page: http://www.corvettelegends.com/l88.htm

I must admit that Corvette Racing Legends is an awesome book for the L88 fan. I have an autographed copy. Dr. Gimenez is my dentist and we have many one-sided conversations about cars when I’m in his chair.

Thank you. I am amazed at the thoughtful response you all give when asked. This forum is my first read every morning. Between you, Kurt, and AUWM, you guys could be the car version of Library of Congress. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to all gearheads and fellow sufferers.

Where’s Luke Duke when ya need him? A city boy may think that air flow cooling piece on the front end could pass for a mini-cow catcher. It would be fun to drive on a track, just don’t go near the ‘hood.

Hey Kurt….Completely unrelated so no need to post but I saw something interesting on Public Broadcasting last night. They were talking about 60′s and 70′s detective TV shows and mentioned “The Rockford Files” starring James Garner. [The Great Escape, Maverick etc] The interesting thing about it was that the producer called Garner one of the best stunt drivers in Hollywood at the time as well as an actor. Garner said he chose that Late 70″s Firebird purposefully for that show as he knew he would be doing his own stunts with it and it was a great car [wheelbase and size] for doing so. Learn something new everyday. Might make an interesting story…maybe something about stunt drivers in general….Thanks brother !

I have a show bike that has original rebel flag painted on it from the seventies in the paint work
I have received more negative remarks about having it there
as a prodigious flag sowing support for slavery etc
I stopped bringing it to shows
It was painted by a famous bike builder
What a shame

Hi all fromGa.: I knew Dave Heinz back then , we went with him to Daytona, with his MGB Hardtop as part of his pit crew!! The MG did not finish, engine probs! Dave was not connected t o the Heinz in Pittsburgh, the headquarters, Heinz 57 ketchup etc. I know he would be proud to read about his neat old Corvette!!! regard,s art smith, brooklet, ga.

There is some confusion as to which corvette racers Bob McClure drove, which I am trying to sort out. I have his picture when his posed with the #57 rebel at Carlise and the 1973 run with Dave Heinz and Dana English. I knew Bob personally and have his last racing Corvette. I have been putting together his racing career and timeline with the help of his son and widow along Paul Y. Any help with inforamtion and pictures to coordinate his race career would be appreciated.

Kevin,
Thank you for your help. I grew up with the McClures as they lived across the street, his son and I are best friends and have been since we were 6. I spoke to Bobby last night his dad said after sitting in the #57 at Carlise he recognized it as car #54. so now I’m really confused… Bobby and I will meet soon and he will grab the scrap books of his dad’s racing exploits and I will get some pictures.Bob senior passed Oct. 2007 due to complications from an auto accident. Again thank you for the help I will keep in contact here unless I can contact you otherwise. Rich

Hi Rich,
It might have race as number 54 one time the other number was 56. If number 57 was taken by another earlier car that could be possible they would need a different number.Bob went nuts when he first saw the Rebel L88 and told him the story how the car was found in a Junkyard, he really was a nice guy and told some great story’s. I’m sorry to here that he pass away. I remember he told me he was buddy’s with Yenko as well. I think he also race a ’66 Corvette. Let me know when you see his scrap book. Kevin